I have been reflecting on Psalm 139: 13-14 lately:
For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
These very words, and indeed Psalm 139 in its entirety, are a beautiful statement and affirmation of our dignity and uniqueness. We have been made in love, and for love, and are therefore embraced unconditionally by God; there is no ambiguity in this bold statement of faith.
To know thyself means to be held in the heart of God, anchored in a divinity that transcends space and time. Our worth therefore is intrinsic - there is no hierarchy of value; I am as worthy as you, and you are as worthy of me.
Such a perspective has wide-ranging consequences beyond the initial avouchment of unconditional belonging. It is self-transcendent in that it expects us to be intentional with our fellow human beings, wherever they are, and whoever they are.
So, if we consider our brothers and sisters, together with those we dislike or even hate, we are called to act in love towards them too. The nature of that love may differ, but ultimately, it stems from God, but also reaches out beyond our individual being, touching those around us.
Our very human nature means that we will undoubtedly get things wrong from time-to-time, whether through acts of omission, or commission.
In all that we do it is important to remember that we are called to faithfulness, not to perfection. That applies to all of us, without exception.
Our imperfection manifests itself in a myriad of different ways. We may not value ourselves as we should, for whatever reason. We may have made mistakes that we are ashamed of. Nevertheless, our value remains. Our attitude towards repentance changes the relational connection with the Divine, but the all-encompassing and foundational love continues unaltered.
I talk with so many people who really struggle to see their inner worth. Social media is a wonderful means of bringing people together; it does however have a very negative influence on some.
I will give you a specific example. My news feeds are over by people who have signed up to online dating sites that have shattered their self confidence. I saw a TikTok video today of a woman who was distraught that some men had commented that she was ‘ugly’. She most certainly was not.
The sad truth is that rating people by their physical appearance is doomed to failure. It is not just an expression of vanity, but it leads to dysfunctional relationships and the inevitable heartache.
When we forget our intrinsic value, and we hand it over to others to manipulate, we do ourselves an injustice.
We must be careful, when relating to others, to recognise when our self-confidence is being undermined by a form of ‘love’ that is conditional. Those conditions are always insidious and promulgates the notion that love is transactional, that is, it is as a ‘reward’ for being a certain way.
Conversely, when we see ourselves and others through the eyes of unconditional value, our lives open up to deeper experiences and meaningful connections. Acknowledging that we are loved, and can offer love unconditionally, gives our lives greater purpose and profundity.
The alpha and omega of that reality is bestowed upon us by God, and manifested in our lives and those of others. We are after all, fearfully and wonderfully made; what we do with that knowledge is, as always, entirely up to us!
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